Plan at a glance
A riverside square for sunrise
东极广场 (East Pole Square) is near the confluence of the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers. Visitors come early to watch the sunrise and see the “East” character sculpture and the East Pole marker. The square is free and usually open all day, but it may close temporarily during the flood season, roughly June to September. Confirm that the public area is open before setting out.
Wusu Town as a route marker
乌苏镇 (Wusu Town) and East Pole Square are both on the eastern route from Fuyuan to Heixiazi Island. The 乌苏镇石碑 (Wusu Town stone marker) makes a brief roadside stop. The main building of the “Easternmost Sentry Post” (东方第一哨) is closed to the public; there are few shops or restaurants, so do not plan to enter the sentry post or stay for a long visit.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
The East Pole marker and sunrise over the rivers
The sculpture of the Chinese character “东” (east) and the East Pole marker are the square's main landmarks. On a clear morning, watch the sky change from the public area. The sculpture frames the river as a background, while the marker works well for a closer photograph. Clouds and visibility affect the sunrise. Around the summer solstice, sunrise can be as early as about 02:50, but the time varies by date; plan around the sunrise time for your travel day.
Riverside views and Wusu Town's stone marker
The square overlooks the confluence of two rivers, and the views and riverbank change with water levels. The 乌苏镇石碑 (Wusu Town stone marker) identifies the place and makes a short photo stop. View the sentry post only from permitted public areas; do not approach barriers or managed facilities.
How to fit it into a trip
The square suits photographers willing to leave before dawn and works as the first stop on a day trip to Heixiazi Island. If you only want to see the geographic marker, stop during the day. For sunrise, arrange a vehicle and confirm the day's access in advance.
For a hilltop sunrise or sunset viewpoint, see East Pole Pavilion.
Build your day
A 30-to-40-minute stop at the square
Enter the open area and visit the sculpture of “东” (the Chinese character for east) and the East Pole marker first, then follow the public path along the river. After taking photographs, return to the parking area the same way. If the square or riverbank is closed during flood season, stay outside the barriers and use another public area or skip this stop.
A one-to-two-hour sunrise visit
Arrange a car from downtown Fuyuan and arrive according to the sunrise time for that date. Wait within the part of the square that is open to visitors. After sunrise, photograph the sculpture and marker, then leave after about 1–2 hours. Agree on a pickup and return time with your driver in advance.
Continue to Wusu Town and Heixiazi Island
After sunrise, stop briefly at the 乌苏镇石碑 (Wusu Town stone marker), then continue to 黑瞎子岛游客中心 (the Heixiazi Island Visitor Center). You need a separate island ticket and must transfer to the island shuttle. If visiting the island on the same day, ask about the visitor center's last return shuttle before deciding how long to stay in Wusu Town. If the square is closed or road conditions change, skip the stone-marker stop and follow the day's operating arrangements.
Get there
Tourist bus and private car
A tourist bus from 抚远客运站 (Fuyuan Bus Station) serves the East Pole Square route. Check its first departure and whether a sunrise service is running before relying on it. A private car from downtown takes about 40 minutes one way. For a dawn visit, book a vehicle and agree on the waiting and return arrangements.
Parking
There is free parking at the square, but spaces can be tight at sunrise. Park only in the designated area. Navigate to “东极广场 (East Pole Square)”; do not use the sentry post or border facilities as your destination, and do not drive onto closed roads.
Know before you go
Flood season, early mornings, and weather
The square may close temporarily during the flood season, roughly June to September; follow the day's notices and on-site management. In summer, the riverfront is buggy and windy before dawn, so bring insect repellent and a windproof jacket. Sunrise time changes daily; check it for your travel date instead of using the summer-solstice time.
Border-area photography and food
Stay on the public square and open roads. Do not cross barriers, approach sentry posts, or use drones. There are few places to eat nearby, so bring water before watching the sunrise; plan a meal at 东极鱼市 (East Pole Fish Market) or elsewhere in Fuyuan after returning to town.